Institute of Physics – London & South East Branch – Retired Members Section The , , and Firepower – the Museum of the Royal . on Thursday, 26 th May 2016

This visit has been organised by MC Black. Description: Firepower, the Museum of the , will be closing in early July 2016, and moving to Larkhill so this may be your last chance to visit. Members will learn something of the intriguing history of Artillery, the Science of Artillery and the human endeavours of Gunners from the Battle of Crécy to unmanned drones and modern peacekeeping missions. Firepower's website: http://firepower.org.uk In the morning, we will have a guided tour of the historic Royal Arsenal site (much of which has been converted to housing) covering the main buildings that still exist and including the origins of the site and the main growing periods. There is also reference to the origins of the Royal Artillery and Arsenal Football Club which both began at the site. Wikipedia has information about the Arsenal Site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Arsenal; the Royal Arsenal Association site is here: http://royalarsenalwoolwich.org.uk/ After lunch, Mark Smith (You may have seen him as the Militaria expert on Antiques Roadshow), the Curator will give us a Guided Tour of the Museum. Coincidentally, our visit falls on the Royal Artillery’s Tercentenary. Where and when to meet: Meet in the Museum Café at 10:30 for 11:00; tea/coffee and Toilets. Getting there: Firepower, the Royal Artillery Museum is located in the historic Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, South East London SE18 6ST and a short riverside walk from the Woolwich Ferry. CAR: See http://firepower.org.uk/visit/find-us-2/ Parking is limited. TRAIN: Woolwich Arsenal from Cannon Street, Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London Bridge. Five minute walk from Woolwich Arsenal to Firepower look for brown Firepower signage. DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY (DLR): Woolwich Arsenal Station on the London City Airport Route with trains running at least every ten minutes.

Lunch: Members can eat lunch in the Museum Café or a local pub. Youngs “The Dial Arch”, Geronimo Inns “The Guard House” or Hop Stuff “The Tap Room” are all nearby. Unity Kitchen or Unity Kitchen, the Museum Café, is run on behalf of the Museum by The Camden Society, who run services across London and Oxfordshire. With a reputation for creativity, innovation and enterprise they generate new opportunities for people with disabilities to achieve greater equality. Timetable: 10:30 for 11:00 – meet in Museum Café. 11:00 – Guided Tour of former Royal Arsenal site 12:30 – Luncheon 14:00 – Guided Tour of Firepower Museum After the Tour, members may visit the Greenwich Heritage Centre nearby. Size of party: The maximum size of party is two groups of 20; the second group will visit the Museum in the morning and the walking tour in the afternoon.. Cost: £10·00. Contacts: Feel free to ring MC Black on Ware (01920) 467 930 – mornings between 07:30 and 09:30 is generally a good time. Members who have met MC's 96 year old Mother will understand! Late arrivals: Ring MC Black on 07880 980 921 and he will tell you where the group is located on the tour. He doesn't use his cell’ phone generally, so please do not try to contact him on that number before the day of the visit.